Siya Kolisi has addressed recent reports suggesting he was “demoted” to the bench after stepping down as Springboks captain.
The 33-year-old made headlines when he was named a substitute for the first time since 2019, with teammate and close friend Eben Etzebeth leading the team to a win over Scotland on Sunday.
Kolisi, who also plays alongside Etzebeth for the Sharks, made history as the first black captain of the Springboks in 2017.
In a post-match interview, Kolisi responded to speculation about his “demotion,” emphasising the importance of the team over individual roles.
“We got the win, and that’s most important; we’re going to build from this. But this is what I enjoy about this team: there’s always space for growth. Squad depth and squad growth while winning are the most important.”
Kolisi added that, even if he doesn’t play, the team’s success is more important than any individual.
Many rugby fans believe Kolisi’s shift from captaincy is part of coach Rassie Erasmus’s rotation strategy, while others speculate that personal reasons, including his publicised split from his wife, Rachel, may have influenced the decision.
However, neither Erasmus nor SA Rugby has confirmed this.
The Springboks will face England at Twickenham on Saturday, November 16, with Erasmus expected to announce the squad and name the team captain on Tuesday.
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